By Kingston Magare 5.1.2026
All Progressive Congress national secretary Ajibola Basiru has responded to the Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike’s advice for him not meddle in the Rivers State politics.
Senator Basiru irked Wike with his open support for governor Siminalayi Fubura for a second term in office, a proposition opposed by the FCT boss an ally of President Bola Tinubu. Wike warned that Basiru’s inference in Rivers State politics could cost President Tinubu his chances of winning the Rivers State in the elections.
“Don’t take our support for Mr. President for granted. You have to be very careful with the statements you make,” Wike fired at Basiru.
“When Mr President comes back, when I see the Minister of Blue Economy, I will tell them to tell him – if carry your hand to Rivers State, if your hand burns, don’t say na me burn am,” he said.
“I can challenge anybody. This state is a no-go area whether you like it or not. Go and ask those who have tried it before. You open your mouth to talk about Rivers State, anything you see, take it.”
But speaking in a statement Monday Senator Basiru said Wike should face his job at the FCT or better still resign, he also stressed that the former Rivers governor has no right to interfere in APC matters since he was not a member of the party.
“From my record, he (Wike) isn’t a member of APC. I don’t see which authority or temerity he has to be dabbling in APC affairs.
“I am the National Secretary of APC, and I don’t see any basis for him to be making comments about my activities either in Rivers State or in any part of Nigeria.
“As the National Secretary of the party, my activities aren’t confined to Osun State contrary to his wrong impression. I am the head of the National Secretariat of the APC.
“So, he has no locus whatsoever to engage me in any political activity that concerns the APC until he joins the party.
“I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted military dictatorship. I can’t be bullied by anybody, no matter how highly placed. My records as national secretary are above board, and I can’t be queried by somebody who isn’t a member of APC.
“Finally, my advice to him is that he should resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics,” Basiru said.